We returned to the Marbella Football Center for our second match of the 2024 preseason. This friendly, which was extended to 135 minutes, featured the Sounders vs. Swedish side IFK Norrköping.
The Sounders won by a score of 3-0, with goals from Albert Rusnàk, Léo Chú and Dylan Teves.
First Group: Stefan Frei; Cody Baker, Nathan, Xavier Arreaga, Jon Bell; Josh Atencio, João Paulo, Cristian Roldan, Albert Rusnàk, Léo Chú; Jordan Morris
Second Group: Andrew Thomas; Kossa-Rienzi&, Antino Lopez&, Stuart Hawkins, Paul Rothrock; Danny Leyva, Obed Vargas, Dylan Teves, Braudilio Rodrigues, Georgi Minoungou+; Raúl Ruidíaz + Tacoma Defiance player % Sounders Academy player & MLS SuperDraft selection
GAME SUMMARY
1’ We are underway in Marbella!
2’ Norrköping rips a shot that hits the crossbar, which is then cleared by Cody Baker, who gets the start at right back
4’ Cristian Roldan combines with Albert Rusnák and takes a shot for Seattle’s first look of the afternoon.
6’ GOAL! Once again Rusnák and Roldan combine for a dangerous change, with Roldan finding Rusnák in front of goal for the easy score.
7’ A few moments later, Rusnák suffers a knock. He gets back on his feet and plays the rest of the half.
15’ With the sound of a bellowing burro nearby echoing across the pitch, Norrköping takes a free kick, but nothing materializes.
20’ A mis-clearance from Jon Bell results in a Norrköping player taking a shot from distance, which Xavi Arreaga steps up to deflect.
22’ Morris and Chú each take well struck shots, but they are blocked by nearby defenders.
27’ Josh Atencio, who typically covers the most ground of any Sounder on the pitch, is whistled for a foul after tracking back on a counter
30’ After some good possession in and around the area, Rusnák pings an audacious through-ball to Roldan, who couldn’t quite get to it.
34’ Atencio nearly gets to a ball in open space, but was a half-second behind the onrushing goalkeeper.
37’ Slick! Rusnak nutmegs a defender, passes around another one, and springs Morris and Chú into a sprint into open field. Morris collects, but a defender cuts off his angle to Chú.
39’ GOAL! The ball bounces around in front of goal for a bit, in which Morris lays the ball to his right for Chú, who knocks it home for the 2-0 lead. Goal! Chú! Great play Baker to cut off a pass and burst down the flank, combining with Roldan and then sending a cross into the area. Ball bounced around a bit and then Morris leaves the ball fo Chú, who delivers a low shot into the back of the net.
46’ SUB: To start the second period, Tacoma Defiance midfielder Snyder Brunell comes on for Rusnák.
48’ Frei gets his first save and easily collects a low shot.
49’ In consecutive possessions, Brunell sends impressive balls to advance up the field. Baker’s cross finds an open Morris, but his header goes just wide.
55’ Roldan takes a collision going after the ball, but he pops back up. He’s a tough kid.
65’ Another strong outing for Nathan and Xavi, who haven’t let much fall behind them. Baker is doing a great job of tracking all the way back, while also being involved in the attack. 68’ Watching JP is such a joy. A field general who always makes the right decision.
70’ The second group subs in! A full line change.
71’ Danny Leyva is awarded with the opportunity to wear the captain’s armband.
78’ Great job by Georgi Minoungou to win a ball back. He has impressed so far in camp.
82’ Leyva gets a shot off with his left from just outside the area, but it sails wide. A good bit of possession with a deep-lying Raúl Ruidíaz spraying it across the field in the attacking half.
84’ Ruidíaz gets a shot off, but it’s a great save. Georgi’s follow-up attempt is also stopped.
87’ A great piece of 1v1 defending from Paul Rothrock to gain possession back. Paul is playing left back in this one.
89’ Raúl on a counter thinks about absolutely sending it from midfield, but he opts for a through-ball to Dylan Teves. The play results in a free kick.
98’ GOAL! Teves receives a beautiful and long pass from Leyva on the right side of the box and sends a low shot to the far post to make it 3-0.
102’ An impressive long pass from Stuart Hawkins receives some applause from the coaches.
110’ Ruidíaz has a look with his left, but it’s gathered easily
116’ Danny Musovski and Sounders Academy defender Gallatin Sandnes subbed within the last few minutes for Braudílio Rodrigues and Antino Lopez.
123’ CHANCE! A big opportunity on the counter as Ruidíaz sends a massive through-ball to Georgi. Georgi crosses it to Moose, who can’t quite place his feet down for the shot. It’s a great look.
130’ Another physical play by Paul wins the ball back. Shouts for a penalty but ref doesn’t blow his whistle.
133’ Obed Vargas’ strikes a volley off a corner, but it sails high 135’ Final whistle. A great performance all around from the squad.
NOTES
Overall, it was an impressive win for the Sounders – and they were dangerously close to a couple more goals.
- The defense held firm, with noticeably solid performances from Cody Baker – who played with the first group at right back – and Paul Rothrock, who slotted at left back with the second group.
- Rusnàk and Roldan were lethal in their combination play, and Chú and Morris were opportunistic on the counter.
- In the second group, Danny Leyva had another standout performance, particularly with his assist on Teves’ goal.
- Ruidíaz, although listed as the standalone striker, played deeper than usual and helped progress the attack.
- Scoring Summary: Rusnák (C. Roldan) 6' Chú (Morris) 39' Teves (Leyva) 98’
FULL HIGHLIGHTS
